New Delhi, Nov. 28 -- At a time when Delhi reuses only a fraction of its treated wastewater, the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) has proposed an ambitious plan- directing highly treated waste water not just to irrigate greenery in parks and farmhouses, but to recharge wetlands, lakes and depleted groundwater systems. The move aims to lift the city's sinking water table, officials said on Thursday.

In an action plan submitted to the central government, the Delhi government stated that of the 701 MGD (million gallons per day) of available treated wastewater, only 125 MGD is currently being reused in the city. Under the 1994 Yamuna water-sharing agreement, 267 MGD of treated water must be mandatorily discharged back into the river to sustain its flow...